Changing topology of wireless peer-to-peer group

Abstract

A device in a peer-to-peer (P2P) group has the role of group owner. A different device in the P2P group may take on the role of group owner without ending the P2P group and create a new P2P group. Multiple P2P groups may be merged into a single P2P group. A single P2P group may be split into multiple independent P2P groups, each with its own group owner. A group owner of a P2P group may notify the client devices in the P2P group that it is about to leave the P2P group. A client device in a P2P group may be appointed in a new role of backup group owner, to take on the role of group owner in the event of a departure of the group owner, thereby providing continuity. Techniques for maintaining upper layer continuity through changes in topology of P2P groups are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for taking on a role of group owner in a peer-to-peer (P2P) group, the method comprising:
 sending a request message to a device in the P2P group that currently has the role of group owner, the request message including a request to take on the role of group owner; 
 receiving from the device a response message in response to the request message, the response message including an indication that the request is accepted; 
 receiving from the group owner a message listing devices in the P2P group that the group owner is prepared to relinquish; 
 initiating a P2P invitation procedure to selected ones of the devices listed in the message to join a new P2P group separate from the P2P group; 
 assuming the role of group owner of the P2P group, wherein the P2P group is split into multiple P2P groups in response to the group owner going out of radio range with respect to one or more devices in the P2P group; and 
 wherein the request message and the response message are Public Action frames. 
 
     
     
       2. A method for splitting an original peer-to-peer (P2P) group into multiple P2P groups, each with its own group owner, the method performed by a client device of the original P2P group, the method comprising:
 sending a message to a group owner of the original P2P group requesting a split of the original P2P group, wherein the P2P group is split into multiple P2P groups in response to the group owner going out of radio range with respect to one or more devices in the P2P group; 
 responsive to sending the message requesting the split, receiving from the group owner a message listing devices in the original P2P group that the group owner is prepared to relinquish; 
 initiating a P2P invitation procedure to selected ones of the devices listed in the message to join a new P2P group separate from the original P2P group while operating as a group owner of the new P2P group; and 
 receiving from at least one of the selected ones of the devices a response to the P2P invitation. 
 
     
     
       3. A device comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a wireless network interface coupled to the processor, the wireless network interface configured to:
 send a message to a group owner of an original peer-to-peer (P2P) group requesting a split of the original P2P group, wherein the device is a client in the original P2P group, wherein the P2P group is split into multiple P2P groups in response to the group owner going out of radio range with respect to one or more devices in the P2P group; 
 responsive to sending the message requesting the split, receive from the group owner a message listing devices in the original P2P group that the group owner is prepared to relinquish; 
 initiate a P2P invitation procedure to selected ones of the devices listed in the message to join a new P2P group separate from the original P2P group while operating as a group owner of the P2P group; and 
 receive from at least one of the selected ones of the devices a response to the P2P invitation.